Benjamin a



2 sheets-sheet 1.

. LEGG.

COAL 0R ROCK DRILL.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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l B. A. LEGG.

GOAL 0R ROCK DRILL. No. 545,596. Y Paten'ed Sept.-3, 1895.

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Q A K s L wi k1 m e. D Witnesses.' Pq E Q I Inventor.'

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN A. LEGG, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LECHNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME'PLACE.

COAL OR ROCK DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 545,596, dated September 3, 1895. Application filed December 8, 1886. Serial No. 221.0141 (N 111011613 y To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN A. LEGG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coal and Rock Drills,

`of which the following is a specicatio'n, refmore particularly drills of the class used in working upon coal, rock, &c.

It relates also to improved devices for feeding and withdrawing the drill during or after the operation of boring.

I have shown in the drawings a mechanismy embodying my improvements; but it will be understood that in numerous respects there can be variation from the construction shown without departing from the essential features of the invention.

Figure 1l isa longitudinal section of a mechanism embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section at right angles to that in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line a: x, Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 'y y, Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show some of the details. is a face view of the piston detached.` Fig. 9 is a face view of the same from the opposite side. Fig. 10 is a side view of an entire apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 11 is a face view from the front of the apparatus in Fig. 10, some of the details at the top and bottom being omitted. v

In the drawings, A represents the shaft or rod, which is detachably connected withvthe drill, and which receives lthe power from the driving mechanism. It is provided at the forward end with a socket ata for attachment to the drill. It is also formed with one or more longitudinal sections d2, by which it is feathered to the parts giving it rotation.

A represents the main wheel or masterwheel, it being connected to the shaft A by a feather. In the construction shown it has an internal gear a', to which power is transmitted by a pinion B, rotated by the prime pinion B.

The engine from which the power is received Fig. 8

-each other by a partition.

-as shown at E.

is mounted in or upon a suitable framework, and it consists of astationary cylinder wherein is mounted a rotary piston. The cylinder is represented generally by C, it having heads C C2. To the outside of the cylinder are secured st rap-pieces c c c2, which extend around the master-wheel A', and are formed with or rigidly secured to a boxing having the lower part 'c3 and the cap c4, there preferably being a bushing at c6. These strap-pieces can be provided with the trunnions c5, as shown, upon which the engine and the drill are mounted, so as to be turned into any desired f position. A

-Within the cylinder C there are secured two abutments G and H, between which there is an annular diaphragm I. These abutments G and H are situated in the same position relatively to the axis of the cylinder-that is,

the corresponding parts of the abutments lie f in the same longitudinal radial planes. ,Pref erably each abutment is long enough to have its ends situated diametrically opposite to each other. The abutment G is formed with a chamber g, to which the exhaust-steam first passes through aperture g. The abutment H is provided with a similar chamber h and ports h.Y With the chambers g and h communicate exhaust-ducts g2 and h2. Y

The pistonv consists of a cylinder, generally represented by D. It is formed with a cylindrical wall d,the outer surface of which is continuous except where it is provided with apertures e and f to receive the sliding valves J and K. In the interior of this cylindrical piston there are two. chambers, separated from In this partition are formed two chambers E2 and F2, they being diametrically opposite to each other, and one formed at' one end of the piston'and the other at the other end, that at E2 extending inward from they aperture e, and that at F2 extending inward from the aperturef. Diametrically opposite to the chamber F2 the partition is closed, as shown. at F', and diametrically opposite the chamber E2 it is also closed, Through the whole piston there is a tubular chamber or passage for the shaft A--that is, the shaft is continuously surrounded by metal, as shown at D3. The metal of the piston is extended to form, or to IOO it is attached, a sleeve D', which is mounted in the head C of the cylinder. To the outer or forward end of this sleeve D the prime pinion B is keyed, and therefore, when the piston is rotating relatively to the cylinder, the said pinion B, through the pinion B,i1n parts rotation to the master-wheel A and shaft A. It will be seen that the above-described separate chambers (which are indicated generally by E3 F3 in the piston, respectively,) communicate with the valve-chambers E2 E2 through ports ef.

The valve J consists of a block fitted snugly in the chamber E2. Upon the sidej it is fiat, but upon the other side it is formed with a cavityj, extending somewhat nearer to the edgej2 than to the edgejs. The valve K is constructed similarly to that shown at J.

The valve J and chamber E2 are so situated as to revolve over the abutment G, so that intermittingly the port e registers with the ports g', whereas the valve K and the chamber F2 revolve in the planes of the abutment H so that the portf intermittingly registers, with the ports 7L.

The piston is formed with webs D, having apertures d', these apertures being as much elongated as is practicable near the periphery of the piston.

The inlet-port is shown atL, through which the steam or air passes through the head C2, and into the interior of the piston D through the apertures d', it being received alternately into the main piston-chambers E3 F3.

The outer or rear end of the piston (the end having the inlet-aperturesd) is fitted tightly against the head-plate C2 of the stationary cylinder, the latter having preferably an inwardly-projecting annulus, as at c, surrounding the extreme portion of the said end of the piston, and the opposite head C', havinga corresponding inwardly-projecting annulus. It will be noticed that the distance from outside to outside between the ends of the piston is somewhat greater than the corresponding distance from the end of one abutment Gto the end of the other H, the dierence being equal to the thicknesses of the last-said annular inwardprojections of the heads of the cylinder. If air or steam or other motive agent be admitted at L, it will enter alternately the chambers E3 F2, and from these passes through the ports ef into the chambers E2 F2 and into the cavitiesj 7o of the valves J K and tends to force the said valves outward against the wall of the cylinder, so that the outer parts of the cavities j 7c' alternately communicate with the cylinder-chamber around the piston, and when out far enough the live steam or air enters said cylinder-chamber behindV the valves and imparts rotary motion to them and the pistons. The rotation continues until the valves, respectively, come in contact with the abutments Gand H, and by which they are gradually pushed in until the parts at 7'2 7c close the steam or air inlets, which closing continues until the valves have passed the exhaustports at g h', through which exhaust-steam escapes to the pipes g2 h2, as above described.

It will be seen that by reason of the presence of the annular partition I there are two steam or air chambers in the cylinder around the piston, one arranged to receive the valve J and the other the valve K, and as the valves are diametrically opposite to each other they take the steam or air in such wayastohave the power applied substantially uniformly during the complete rotation, and this is accomplished from virtually a single feed-duct, for, although the piston-chamber is divided into two parts, the inlet communicates when in operation with these substantially continuously.

In order to move the shaft Alongitudinally while the drill is rotating I combine with the parts above described means for applying air or steam in such way that its pressure can be utilized to effect such longitudinal movement. In the construction which I have selected for illustrating this part of my inven-v tion the tube O is employed, arranged around and concentrically with the shaft A. At one end it is bolted to the stationary cylinderhead C2 by means of a fiange or plate O', formed on or secured to the tube, and at the other end it is closed air-tight or steam-tight by a cap O2. The outer or rear end of the shaft A is provided with a piston, generally indicated by I. As shown, it consists of a metal head P', having a packing p surround.

ing the periphery of the head, this packing being secured in place by a bolted annulns P2. Y The shaft A is provided with a head a2, lying between the annulus P2 and the part P.

In order to prevent the piston from rotating and yet allowing it to freely slide longitudinally I employ guides R R, engaging with it. Preferably these guides are of the form of rods, which, as shown, are at one end screwed into sockets in the head-plate C2 of the enginecylinder, and are at the other end passed through the cap-piece O2 and are secured by nuts r r. With a piston thus loosely connected with the shaft and held by guides the shaft can be readily moved longitudinally, although it may be at the same time rotated by means of other mechanism.

Q represents a duet for air or steam, communicating with the main steam duct or chamber which supplies the engine or with the steam-chamber in the engine-cylinder, and adapted to convey the steam or air to a point near the outer end of the tube O. At said point it communicates with an inlet-port q, through which steam or air can enter behind the piston P. Thus a forward pressure can be readily brought to bear upon the shaft, as will be clearly understood.

As shown, q is the port by which the steam or air is taken into the duct Q. At some suitable point, preferably near the engine, a stop-cock is applied, it being adapted to regulate the direction or passage of the lnotive IOO IIO

agent. The return movement of the piston to be admitted in substantially the same way as that described, or where it is not desirable to employ power of this character for this purpose it may be forced back by other means.

In the end of the tube O there is an opening closed by a detachable screw O3 or equivalent means, through which aperture may be withdrawn any Water of condensation that may form in the tube when steam is employed, or a lubricant may be admitted.

I do not herein claim the features incident to the engine which I have shown, limiting myself in this case to the novel matters involving the drilling apparatus adapted for working rock and coal, and for other analogous purposes.

I have December 9, 1886, tiled another application-to Wit, Serial No. 221,140-for rotary engines, with the intention of claiming therein the novel features of the engine, whether applied to uses of the sort now particularlyvreferred to herein or to others in which a power mechanism of that sort is advantageous.

I am aware that usehas been heretofore -m ade or proposed of rock-drills each comprising a rotary engine, a drill-shaft, anda cylinder and piston for advancing the drill-shaft by their pressure while the engine is rotating it. In machines of one sort the drill-stem passed directly through the rotary piston of the engine, there being no gearing interposed for reducing speed, and I entirely disclaim as of my invention any combination of parts in a drilling mechanism comprising as elements of said combination the drilling-shaft'v and the rotary piston directly connected together without gearing. In the machines of the other earlier sort above referred to the drillshaft and its feed-tube were arranged on an axis at right angles tol the axis of the rotary engine and its piston, so that the power had to be transmitted to beveled wheels which were of equal dimensions, so as to avoid the reduction of speed, and this engine being rigidly secured, after the manner common in rockdrills, to a sti vertical frame. I also disclaim such mechanisms, the operative parts in mine being mounted universally adjustably, and being so arranged relatively to each other that both compactness and the reduction of speed necessary in light portable coaldrills can be attained. Nor do I herein claim specifically any combination of parts in a drilling-machine comprising a driver or initial rotation producer other than the piston of an engine adapted to be operated by steam, water, air, or similar substances.

I am aware of the fact that at the date of this patent drilling machines have been known or proposed comprising as substitutes for the rotary motor herein (to be actuated by air, steam, or the like material) engines to be actuated by different agents, such as electricity, said latter engines having parts which in construction and arrangement are more or less similar to and are equivalents of some of the parts of the rotary engine herein-as, for instance, the centrally-perforated piston, the tubular shaft upon which it revolves, and the drill-stem passing through such tubular shaft; and while I do not, as before said, make any specific claim to such other driving-engine I do not wish to limit the claims herein referring to a rotary engine or to a rotary piston to exactly the prime motor or-to the driving agent herein referred to', although, as I havev above set forth, I do not mean to include ,in any way machines which dispense with gearing between the piston and drill-shaft.

What I claim is- I. In a drilling apparatus, the combination of the rotary drill shaft, the rotary engine having a rotary piston concentric with the drill shaft the driving wheel secured tothe piston and the gear wheel driven thereby and connected to the drill shaft, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination ofthe rotary engine the piston thereof having a hollow axis or shaft, the gear wheel secured to said hollowshaft, the rotary drill shaft passing loosely through the said gear wheel, and means connecting the said gear wheel with the shaft, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the rotary engine, having its piston mounted on a hollow shaft formed with journalssecured in bearings on the engine, the gear wheel secured to the said hollow shaft, the drill shaft situated loosely in the said hollow piston shaft, the wheel concentric with said gear Wheel and engaging with the drill shaft and provided with a hollow shaft or journal, the bearing for the last said hollow shaft or journals secured to the stationary parts of the engine, substantially as described. j

4t. In a coal or rock drill the combination of the engine, the rotating engine shaft; the driving wheel actuated by the engine, the drill 'shaft parallel to the engine shaft, the driven wheel which actuates the drill shaft and has a hollow shaft or journal on that side of the wheel opposite to the engine and parallel to the engine shaft, a bearing for said hollow shaft orv journal, a support for the said bearing secured to the engine, and a driving wheel for actuating the aforesaid driven wheel mounted on the axis thereof, substantially as described.

5. In a coal or rock drill the combination of the engine, the driving wheel rotated by the engine, the drill shaft, and the driven wheel connected to the drill shaft, said drill shaft, driving wheel and driven wheel being all mounted on the same axis, substantially as vset forth.

IOO

IIS

G. In a coal or rock drill the combination of the drill shaft, the engine, the driving wheel connected to the engine and situated concentrically with the drill shaft, the driven Wheel connected to the drill shaft, and the intermediate Wheel between the driving and the driven wheels and supported upon the engine, substantially as described.

7. The combination of the drill shaft, the Wheel engaging therewith, the feed tube and piston for advancing the drill shaft, the engine with rotary piston, said drill shaft, feed tube, driven Wheel and rotary piston being all concentric, and the intermediate devices for transmitting power from the engine pis ton to the said driven Wheel, substantially as described.

S. The combination of the drill shaft, the driven Wheel engaging with the shaft,the rotary engine having its piston concentric With the said Wheel, the stationary frame and the trunnions situated on a line above the bottom of the piston chamber and in the plane of the drill shaft, substantially as set forth.

9. In a drilling apparatus the combination with the rotating drill shaft, of a feed tube, a non-rotating piston therein and one or more guides stationary relativelyto the drill shaft, and on lines eccentric to the drill shaft and engaging with the piston to prevent it from rotating substantially as set forth.

10. In a drilling apparatus the combination with a rotating drill shaft of the feed tube O, the piston therein and the rods R R passing directly through the piston, said rods being held stationary relatively to the drill shaft at the ends of the tube, substantially as described.

11. In a drilling apparatus, the combination with a rotary drill shaft, of a feed tube, the 4o piston therein, and guides for said piston parallel to said drill shaft, and mounted stationarily in the ends of the feed tube, substantially as set forth.

12. In a drilling apparatus, the combination with a rotary drill shaft of the feed tube, a non-rotating piston therein, and guide rods mounted entirely Within the feed tube, substantially as set forth.

18. In a drilling apparatus, the combination with a rotary drill shaft, of a feed tube, the non-rotating piston therein loosely connected to said shaft, guide rods passing through the piston, and a stop to limit the backward movement of the piston, substantially as set forth.

14. In a drilling apparatus, the combination with the drill shaft and the power devices for rotating said shaft, of the feed tube mounted directly behind the power device, the nonrotating piston loosely connected to the end of the drill shaft, and means stationary relatively to the feed cylinder engaging positively With said pist-on to prevent it from' rotating, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence ot' two Witnesses.

BENJAMIN A. LEGG. Witnesses:

A. T. THRALL, T. M. LIvnsAY. 

